Contractors and flexible workers get their conference

15th July 2011

One of the fastest growing groups of New Zealand employees has just had a conference dedicated to their specific needs and concerns.

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In the last five years there has been a worldwide surge in the contracting and flexible workforce. Australasian industry estimate* these employees currently represent over 25% of the entire workforce.

The recent Contracting and Flexible Workforce Conference 2011 held at the Auckland University Business School was designed to specifically address the needs of this growing group of employees.

Hosted by Frog Recruitment the conference was attended by over 140 contractors and flexible staff.

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Frog Recruitment’s Director, Jane Kennelly said; “Contractors and the flexible workforce are now a major presence in New Zealand business but as they’re largely self-employed these people simply don’t get the professional development and recognition their salaried and waged colleagues do. Hence the idea of designing a conference dedicated to educate and inform on trends and issues facing this workforce.”

Frog Recruitment invited four key speakers from very differing parts of the contracting world to inform, educate and entertain the delegates – with the overall theme of this year’s conference being around personal branding.

A keynote speaker, Jill Brinsdon who represents clients advertising brands in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore made the point that a CV is not simply a resume but is now your own marketing collateral – so make it unique and authentic.

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Other key speakers covered pertinent tax and expense issues with hints on how to manage these affairs. Linda Coles of Blue Banana presented on leveraging a personal brand and job prospects via the likes of LinkedIn and other similar social media networks.

Closing the conference was one of the country’s most successful contractors, James Griffin who has successfully forged a career as writer-for-hire and the co-creator and scriptwriter on the likes of Outrageous Fortune, The Almighty Johnsons and Sione’s Wedding. James said he never refused work as he was terrified of not working – so he took whatever was thrown his way and as a result he has created a very successful career for himself.

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Frog Recruitment said delegate feedback was unanimously positive with one delegate saying, “It was great to have an event for us as we are always the ones left behind in the office while the permanent staff go off on their Christmas parties and other events – so a sense of belonging and meeting other contractors was refreshing.”

Frog Recruitment intends this to be an annual event and planning has already begun on the 2012 conference.

ENDS

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